How to perform a sitz bath

A sitz bath is an immersion bath in which a person sits in a tub of water that covers the hips, buttocks and lower abdomen. Sitz baths--whether hot, cold, neutral or alternating--have therapeutic effects on the lower abdominal and pelvic organs. Hot sitz baths may be used to ease spasms in the rectum, vagina, uterus and testes. Cold sitz baths may help with benign prostatic hypertrophy, constipation, and prolapse of the uterus, bladder or rectum. Neutral sitz baths may alleviate bladder infection pain or itching of the anus or vulva. Alternating sitz baths, described below, may help the following conditions: vaginal infections, chronic urinary tract infections (not acute), pelvic congestion, pelvic inflammatory disease, hemorrhoids, fissures, prostatitis, constipation, postpartum pain, neuralgias and insomnia.

Things You'll Need

• 2 washtubs large enough to sit in comfortably
• Towels
• Bath thermometer
• Hot water
• Cold water

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Instructions

• 1

  Place a towel on the bottom of both washtubs and drape towels over the front and back of the tubs to protect your skin.

• 2

  Fill one of the tubs with hot water--about 106 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit--to about a half-inch above your navel. Fill the other tub with cold water--55 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit--to about a half-inch below your navel. The hot water should not cause burning or discomfort.

• 3

  Sit in the hot tub for two to five minutes.

• 4

  Sit in the cold tub for 30 to 60 seconds.

• 5

  Repeat steps 3 and 4 two more times, for a total of three sets of alternating hot and cold immersion. Always start with hot and end with cold.

• 6

  Dry off completely.

• 7

  Repeat a few times a day to a few times a week, depending on the reason for treatment. Consult with a doctor or a licensed naturopathic physician for a diagnosis of your health condition and treatment advice.